Police received calls soon after noon that an elderly man had been injured at a house in Springvale Drive, Springvale.

But when they arrived, they found the man, 83, was dead.

Police said they believed the dead man had been struck on the back of the head with a weapon they described as an “item for everyday use”.

Crime manager Detective Inspector Daren Cloake said the death was a surprise in such a quiet neighbourhood.

“You only have to look around to see it’s a bit of an affluent-type area,” he said.

“These type of unfortunate things do not discriminate at times.”

The killing happened in the back yard of the dead man’s home.

Other family members, including the man’s wife, were present.

Detective Cloake said family members were “obviously distraught” and counselling services had been offered.

“Emotions are very high. It’s very upsetting,” he said.

After an early search failed to find the man wanted in connection with the death, police released a description of him.

Police arrested the man about 2.45pm at the Cootamundra railway station when the Sydney-bound XPT stopped there.

The man, 48, who was known to the victim, was charged with murder.

A long-time Springvale resident said there had never been such an incident in the suburb.

“We hardly ever have robberies or anything here,” the resident said.

“The worst thing we’ve had was a ladder stolen.”